May 23, 2010
By Brenda Benedict
What's the worst fate to befall a NASCAR driver? After today, I believe it would be not being able to drive their race car. That's exactly what has happened to the #83 driver, Brian Vickers.
Vickers announced today at a Charlotte Motor Speedway to a packed Media Center that his health condition has caused his worst fear -- not to be allowed to race. There was a collective gasp when Vickers announced that he would be not returning to racing this season.
Vickers's bout with blood clots forced him to miss last weekend's race at Dover. But his future was unknown until today's press conference.
When questioned, every NASCAR driver feels a great deal of empathy for Vickers. Mark Martin stated, "I truly feel for Brian." To lose the opportunity to do what you love struck a chord in drivers that was echoed in press conferences all day.
Vickers described his medical problems candidly for the press in a forthright manner. While visiting Washington D.C. to visit wounded troops at Walter Reed Hospital, he became ill and ended up in a hospital himself.
He was awakened in the night with chest pains and shortness of breath. He ignored the symptoms because he felt as a healthy 26 year old race car driver, he was not at risk for anything serious. But when the symptoms returned the next day, Vickers contacted Dr. Petty, a physician known for treating NASCAR drivers. Dr. Petty advised him to get right to an emergency room. Luckily Vickers followed his advice.
Vickers really didn't want to call the doctor. "I was afraid he'd tell me that I couldn't race. I'd be really pissed." But the seriousness of the condition was soon recognized.
Doctors immediately began a series of tests which showed Vickers had blood clots in both lungs and his left leg. He was put on a regiment of blood thinners and stayed several days in the Washington D.C. hospital. He was discharged and allowed to fly back to Charlotte but when his symptoms reappeared he was again admitted to a Charlotte hospital.
Vickers' physician, Dr. Limetani, described the condition as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Deep venous thrombosis is a condition where clots form deep in a vein, which for Vickers was in his leg. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clots travels from the veins to the lungs.
Vickers has been touched by the outpouring of support he has received from the NASCAR community including drivers and members of the media. "The thoughts, prayers and appreciation of your peers means so much," he stated. "It means the world to me."
The question has emerged as to the role that drinking Red Bull beverage might have had in causing Vickers' condition. Red Bull is Vickers' sponsor. In what appeared to be an attempt to ward off any suggestion that Red Bull may have contributed to the situation, Vickers entered the press conference drinking a can of Red Bull.
When a reporter cited a research study connecting Red Bull to cardio problems, Dr. Limetani assured the press that there have been no studies that showed any evidence that pertained to Vickers' condition.
Vickers is now out of the hospital but will not be returning to a race car this season. The risk is too great while he is on blood thinners. A small injury could have grave consequences for a bleeding injury.
Vickers indicated that he is going to use this forced 'vacation' to learn more about racing because he may never have this 'opportunity' again. He assured his fans that "it is not my personality to focus on the negative" and he plans "on being around for a long time".
Vickers' situation reminds us of all, no matter how young and healthy we are, that good health is such a gift. But also, the support of our friends and loved ones is the way we face the challenges that could confront us.
You can follow me at Twitter @nascarfaithful
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
